Mining machine



W. VOGEL MINING MACHINE March 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1949 Inventor MZTER VOG-FL y Wm,

Attorneys W. VOG EL MINING MACHINE March 2, 1954 Filed March 26, 1949 Inventor M4 TFR V0 1 Attorneys UNl'lED- STAT Patented Mar. 2, 1954 MINING MACHINE Walter Vogel, Santiago de Chile, Chile, assignor to Mavor & Coulson, Limited, Glasgow, Scotland 12 Claims.

in such a machine a resonance system by virtue of which the thrust due to the propulsion oi the machine is increased without thereby increasing the ordinary reaction to propulsion.

The term resonance system is used herein as referring to a system incorporating parts which when set in motion reciprocate, or oscillate,

freely, that is without impact, at a determinate natural periodicity or frequency and a unit for applying driving power at the same periodicity to said parts.

Another object of the invention is to incorporate in such a machine an oscillatory system,

desirably capable of operating as a resonance system, including an oscillatory mass-and-spring combination operated by an auxiliary power unit,

the arrangement being such that the kinetic energy of the mass is transmitted as potential energy to the cutter so that the cutter receives solely a forwardly directed pressure which is periodically increased by the actionv of the system. The said power unit, being auxiliary to the means for the propulsion of the machine, cannot overcome, the propulsion thrust and therefore as aforesaid the pressure transmitted to the cutter is solely forwards. That is to say, the cutter does not and cannot recede as it advances;

otherwise stated, the advance of the cutter is non-reciprocatory.

In accordance with the present invention, a mining machine of the type stated is characterisedby a resonance system including a reciprocating mass-and-spring combination which is mounted on the cutter-carrying body of the machine and is reciprocable in the generaldirection. of cutting desirably atthe speed that creates l'rescnance soas to increase periodically the-thrust duetopropulsion of the body.

Alsorin accordance with the present invention,

a mining machine of the type stated having a ram unit.- for thrusting the cutter forwards and reacting against an anchorage is characterised by a resonance system including a mass which is mounted on the same movable structure as the cutter so as to reciprocate in the general direction or thrust. The. ram unit, the cutter and the movable structure, carrying it and the resonance system, are essentially so inter-connected that the ram. unit; presses. forwards through the structure hard against the, cutter.

resonance system may comprise a. heavy fmss mounted on'the'cuttercarrying body of themachine'to reciprocate in. the general direction of cuttin auxiliary motor-operated eccentric mechanism on said body, which is thrust forwards to perform the cutting stroke, a spring betweenthe eccentric mechanism and the mass, and a spring between the mass and the cutter, so that the mass reciprocates between the springs under the action of the eccentric mechanism and adds its periodic action upon the powerful forward thrust applied through said body to the cutter.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figs- 1A and 1B together constitute a front elevation, partly in section, of a mining machine embodying one example of the invention. The section is on the line l -l of Fig. 2, which is a plan of a portion of the machine. Fig. 2 is also partly in section, the section being on the line 2-2 of Fig. 113.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of another mining machine, shown in plan,'also embodying an example of the invention.

In the example according to Figs. 1A, 1B and 2, the invention is applied to a double-ended coal mining machine; that is a machine adapted to cut in either of its two directions of travel along the face of a coal seam-.- The machine is in the nature of a vehicle comprising two bodies, namely a main body 4, 5 and an anchorage body 6. These bodies are movable lengthwise, each in relation to the other. The main body is constructed in two inter-connected. parts t and 5 at opposite ends of the machine, and the anchorage body 5 occupies an intermediate position. The means of connection between the opposite end parts 4 and 5 of the main body are main and auxiliary bars I and B; and the body in is slidably mounted on these bars, which func ti'on as guides for the body 6. v

The machine has a hydraulic cylinder-and ram unit for the propulsion. of the vehicle. In the example, the ram 9 projects at both ends from the cylinder 10, which is incorporated in the anchorage body 6. The length of the ratio double functionof advancing either of the bodies of the vehicle and in addition shearing off the coal.

In the drawings, A indicates the floor of the mine, Bv indicates the roof, and 0 indicates the newly cut face of the seam of coal.

The main body has two hydraulic jacks H and !2, one on each of two cutter heads is and i4 incorporated in the end parts 4 and 5- respectively. A much more-powerful hydraulic jack i5 is providedon the anchorage body 5 in combination with. the propulsion cylinder it.

Each of the cutter heads l3 and [4 comprises a number of cutters. These consist of three superposed cutters I5, I! and ill with vertical edges for cutting in a plane, namely that of the new face C, parallel to the original coal face, and floor cutters 19 which have horizontal edges for stripping coal from the floor A. A separate roof cutter 20 at each end of the machine is represented conventionally as incorporated in a lever 2| which is mounted on the associated end part 4 or 5 and which is spring-pressed upwardly.

In the drawings, the machine is shown set for cutting towards the right, the cutter head l3 bethe cutter head I3 has completed a cutting stroke. The jacks ll and I2 are now operated to extend and engage themselves securely between the floor and roof, and the jack I5 is operated to contract and free itself. Then the propulsion unit 9, I is operated so that the ram 9 is forced towards the left and its left-hand end abuts hard against x the face-plate SA on the main-body part 5. Thus, the cylinder H] with the anchorage body 6 are pulled forward on the guides 1, 8 until the body comes close against the leading end part 4 of the main body. The jacks H, [2 and are next operated so that the jack l5 engages itself securely between the fioor and roof and so that the jacks H and I2 free themselves. The anchorage body 6 is now securely anchored to the mine. operated so that the ram 9 is forced to the right, its right-hand end now abutting hard against the face-plate 4A. Thus, the main body 4, 5 is thrust slowly forwards from the now stationary anchorage body 6 and the leading cutter head [3 performs a cutting stroke. This completes the cycle of operations.

The operation of the machine in the return direction corresponds: that is to say the propul- Thereafter the propulsion unit 9, :c is

sion unit 9, ID is operated to force the ram 9 l, 8 to take up a new position of anchorage.

The machine is equipped with hydraulic apparatus and control means. Such apparatus and means may be of any conventional construction. As the present invention is not concerned therewith, the construction is neither shown in the drawings nor described herein.

In the example, a resonance system is arranged in each of the end parts 4 and 5 of the main body, each such system being positionally between the cutter-head end (or outer end) of the associated main-body part 4 or 5 and the face-plate end (or inner end) of said part to which the ram 9 of the propulsion unit is applied. In other words, each resonance system is mounted in the framework of the ma n body 4, 5 and is located between the propulsion unit 9, ill on the one hand and'the associated cutter head l3 or i l on the other hand. Each resonance system comes into operation only when the cutter head 13 or M to which it is applied is the leading head.

As diagrammatically shown in Figs. 15 and 2, the end part a is made as a hollow casing, and it is inside this casing that the resonance system is arranged. A power unit in the form of an electric motor 22 is mounted at the rear end of the main-body end part 4, and this motor drives a transverse rotary shaft 23 journalled in bearings 23A and having an eccentric 24 embraced by a non-rotary strap 25. A heavy two-part block 26 is mounted at an intermediate position in the part 4, being slidable to and fro on rollers 21 in a longitudinal guideway 28. The block is connected by an assembly of springs to the cutter head I3 in front and the eccentric strap 25 behind.

In the example, the, spring assembly includes a pair of auxiliary springs 29 on the rod 3|! of the eccentric strap 25, these springs bearing at their outer ends against abutments 31 on the rod and pressin inwardly upon a crosshead 32, which is slidable on the eccentric rod38 and is trunnioned at its ends in bearing blocks 33 which rigidly interconnect the upper and lower parts of the block 26. Strong main springs 34 bear at their outer ends on abutments 35 and 36 and press inwardly upon the two parts of the block 26. The abutments 35 and 35 are fixtures in the main-body part 3, but the abutment 35 co-operates with an adjustable wedge device 3! by means of which the compression on the springs 34 can be so regulated that when, in operation, one of these springs extends fully it is still subjected to compression, although only light compression.

A similarly adjustable wedge device 38 is provided for adjusting the lower component of the guideway 28.

In the example, the springs represented each consist of a number of face-to-r'ace discs made of rubber and each faced on both sides with metal plates to which the rubber is fixed by vulcanization. As will be obvious any other appro priate springs, for instance helical springs, may be used instead.

The motor 22 drives the eccentric 24, so that the eccentric-mechanism causes the block to reciprocate between the springs, which alternately contract and extend. The driving speed is that speed at which the eccentric operates at the same periodicity as the natural vibratory periodicity of the mass-spring system. At this selected speed, the system is truly resonant. Thus, there is provided a resonance system which operates on the framework of the main body 4, 5, being positioned in the example between the hydraulic propulsion unit 9, I o and the cutter head 13. In the working of the system, the block-andand abutments 36 at one end of the resonance system and the cutter head I 3 and abutment 35 at the other end are rigid fixtures on the same structure, namely the body 4, which therefore receives the total two-directional action of the reciprocating mass and also provides the total reaction. In other words, the resonance system is not operatively interposed between the jackeddown anchorage body 6 on the one hand and the cutter head is on the other hand, and the reaction due to the action on the cutter of the reciprocating mass 28 is not taken by the anchorage body 6. The bearings 23A and abutments 35 on the one hand and the abutment 35 on the other hand constitute connections between the resonance system and the main body 6, 5, through which connections the oppositely directed actions of the system are applied to said body. The system is. designed so. that the maximum force exerted by the mass of the block 2% equalsbut does not exceed the pushing force. exerted onthe main body by the. ram 9 ofthe propulsion unit. The arrangement is such that the force applied to the cutter head .varies periodically between a maximum, which may equal twice the force exerted by the. hydraulic unit on the main body; and a, minimum. which may be zero. Thus, the force applied by the hydraulic unit can be doubled in transmission to the cutter head by the action of the resonance system and nevertheless the reactionary force exerted on the jacked-down: anchorage body 6 is not increased.

Although the resonance system has been do. scribed with reference only to the main-body end part 4 and its cutter head l3, the resonance system provided on the end part 5. is similar.

It is theoretically possible to augment the pushing force imparted through the power-operated resonance system to a cutter head by including a series of two or more reciprocating masses, each succeeding one of which reciprocates at twice the periodicity of its predecessor in the series, and all of which have the same energy capacity and damping capacity; and all of which are in phase at the instant of maximum pushing force.

Inthe example according to Figs. 1A, 1B and 2, the resonance system comprises the mass 26, the sprineassembly 3t and the driving mechanism 22-25, the sprin s 29 being an elastic cou pling between the driving mechanism and the mass.

Provisionmay be made for balancing the lateral forces set up by the eccentric mechanism in imparting the requisite reciprocating force to the mass in a direction which is offset laterally from .the line of action 01 the cutter head at the coal face C. The means providedmay comprise an auxiliary oscillating system designed to op era-tein resonancewith the main system, the auxiliary system being arranged horizontally at 9D to the main system and working in phase with'it.

The machine shown in the diagram which constitutes Fig. 3 has provision for balancing the lateral forces. Moreover, a simpler arrangement "of springs is incorporated in the resonance system. For simplicity, on-lya single-ended machine is shown.

Referring to Fig. 3, partssimilar or corresponding to parts already described with. reference to Figs. 1A, 1B and 2' are again indicated by the same. reference numbers.

In this simplified construction, the. cylinder In is secured at, one end to the main-body part 4 and the ram 9, being single-ended, is securedfat the, oppositeend to the part 5. The bo y 4 relies upon its own weight to hold it stationary when the anchorage body 6 is being pulled forward by the hydraulic propulsion unit 9, l0, whereas the anchorage body has a pair of hydraulic jacks it to anchor it securely to the mine when it is taking the reaction to the forward thrust of the cutter head [-3.

In this example the heavy weight 26, of the resonance system is oscillatory between two opposed springs 48,- Ji'l which respectively abut against-the eccentric strap? 25 on the one hand and the cutter headnliv on the other hand. -As the first example the eccentric shaft 23 is 'journalled in bearings. 23A on the body- It and 67 the. cutter-head, is is rig dly mounted on. the same body.

The means for balancing the. lateral forces due. to the offset action. of; the main resonance system omprise an. oscillatory block 42. ct adequate mass and. opposed. springs- 43, 44; interposed between the block 42; and the: sides of the: casing of which the body 4.- mainly consists. The mass and springs comprise an. auxiliary resonance system oscillating; in; phase with the main system, and at 30 to it.

In the foregoing. examples, the machine. com.- pri-sestwo relatively movable bodies, namely the main body which carries the. resonance system and cutter head and the anchorage body which is iaclced-dcwn in position. for each cutting; Stroke. It. by virtue of this. two-body construction that the machine propels itself. Other means of pro pulsi'on may be used, and the. arrangement may be such that the machine advancesv with a con tinuous. motion. not; stroke after stroke. A. ma.- chine: having such. other; means comprises, .for instance, a single vehicle-like. body h ving floor;- engaeing. members; and, roof.-engagin members. which are maintained in adequate. frictional en.- gagement with the floor and roof, respectively, and whichare operated to propel the body at slow speed. These members may comprise small ruhher tyred wheels, say eight wheels for the floor and eight; Wheels for the; roof, and each. of these wheels is rotated by a. hydraulic motor individual to the wheel, all the motors being supplied by a hydraulic um on the. body oi themachine These wheels are pressed. individuall against; the floor and roof; respectively, by means such for sta e s ydraulic. cylinder-mmmm units.

claim:

1;. A mining machine of the type stated com.- prising abody, power propulsion. means applied to said body to. press it powerfully forwards, .a

cutter forming a part of. the-same structure as said body, a'resonance system mounted on said body for periodically increasing the cutting thrust due. to propulsion of the body, said system comprising a mass reciprocable without impact against any part of said body, said cutter included, in the general direction of propulsion of the; body, an auxiliary power unit on said body acting in alternately opposite directions on said mass to impart reciprocatory motion to said massandsprings interposed between the mass at both sides thereof and the body, and connections between said resonance system and said body through which connections the oppositely directed actions of the system are applied to the body during reciprocation of the mass.

2; A mining machine as claimed by claim 1 in which the resonance system comprises main springs and auxiliary springs and abutments spaced longitudinally apart on the body, the main springs acting in opposition to one another on both sides of the mass and reacting upon the 'abutments on the body and the auxiliary springs being interposed between the mass at both-sides thereof and the power unit for reciprocating the mass. do A mining machine as claimed by claim 1 having means for balancing lateral forces setprising a body, a cutter carried by said body, means for applying a powerful forwardly directed propulsive force to the body so that it thrusts the cutter into mineral to be mined and a resonance system for periodically increasing the propulsive force applied to the body, said system comprising a reciprocatory mass mounted to reciprocate without impact relative to the cuttercarrying body lengthwise of the machine, spring means applied to said mass, said mass and spring means having a natural vibratory periodicity, and auxiliary power means acting in alternately opposite directions on said mass to reciprocate said mass at about said periodicity, said resonance system being connected to said cutter-carrying body so that it is this body that receives the twodirectional action of said mass when reciprocating.

5. A mining machine as claimed by claim 4 having means for balancing lateral forces set up by the resonance system, such means comprising an auxiliary oscillating system designed to operate in resonance with the main system, the auxiliary system being arranged horizontally at 90 to the main system and working in phase with it.

6. A mining machine of the type stated comprising an anchorage unit, a body, a cutter carried by said body, a cylinder-and-ram propulsion unit interposed between said anchorage unit and said body to thrust the cutter with a powerful forwardly directed pressure into mineral to be mined and a resonance system for periodically increasing the propulsive force applied in the forward direction by the propulsion unit to the body, said system comprising a reciprocatory mass mounted to reciprocate without impact relative to the cutter-carrying body lengthwise of the machine, spring means applied to said mass, said mass and spring means having a 1 natural vibratory periodicity, and auxiliary power means acting in alternately opposite directions on said mass to reciprocate said mass at about said periodicity, said resonance system being connected to said cutter-carrying body so that it is this body that receives the two-directional action of said mass when reciprocating.

7. A mining machine of the type stated comprising a body, longitudinally spaced abutments on said body, longitudinal guide means on said body, a cutter carried by said body, means for applying a powerful forwardly directed propulsive force to the body so that it thrusts the cutter into mineral to be mined and a resonance system for periodically increasing the propulsive force applied to the body, said system comprising a reciprocatory mass mounted to reciprocate without impact on said guide means relative to the cutter-carrying body, spring means applied to said mass at opposite sides thereof and arranged between said abutments in abutting relation therewith, said mass and spring means hav ing a natural vibratory periodicity, and auxiliary power means acting in alternately opposite directions on said mass to reciprocate said mass at about said periodicity, said resonance system transmitting its actions in opposite directions through said abutments to said cutter-carrying body.

8. A mining machine as claimed by claim '1 in which the resonance system includes also auxiliary spring means interposed between said power means and said reciprocatory mass.

9. A mining machine of the type stated comtprising an anchorage unit, a body, longitudinally spaced abutments on said body, longitudinal guide means on said body, a cutter carried by said body, a cylinder-and-ram propulsion unit interposed between said anchorage unit and said body to thrust the cutter with a powerful forwardly directed pressure into mineral to be mined and a resonance system for periodically increasing the propulsive force applied by the propulsion unit to the body, said system comprising a reciprocatory mass mounted to reciprocate without impact on said guide means relative to the cutter-carrying body, said mass being arranged about midway between said abutments, two mutually opposed spring means interposed respectively between opposite sides of said mass and said abutments, said mass and spring means having a natural vibratory periodicity, and auxiliary power means mounted on said cutter-carrying body acting in alternately opposite directions on said mass to reciprocate said mass at about said periodicity.

. 10. A mining machine as claimed by claim 9 in which the power means includes, in combination with the said opposed spring means between the mass and the abutments, a reciprocatory rod with additional longitudinally spaced abutments and in which mutually opposed auxiliary springs are located at opposite sides of said mass between it and the last-mentioned abutments to transmit motion from said rod to said mass.

11. A mining machine of the type stated comprising power propulsion means for applying a powerful forward pressure, a movable carrier, a cutter, said propulsion means, carrier and cutter being inter-connected so that the propulsion means presses forward through the carrier against the cutter, and an oscillatory system mounted on said carrier, said system comprising a mass mounted to move forwards-andbackwards on said carrier without impact, auxiliary power means on said carrier acting in alternately opposite directions on said mass to reciprocate said mass, springs applied to said mass, said springs being oppositely directed to yieldingly oppose the forward and backward movements of said mass, and abutments on said carrier to take the forward and backward reactions of said springs, the arrangement being such that the kinetic energy produced in the mass is transmitted as potential energy to the carrier so that the cutter receives solely a forwardly directed pressure which is periodically increased by the action of the oscillatory system.

12. A mining machine according to claim 11 in which the carrier and the cutter are interconnected to form a rigid structure and the power propulsion means is a cylinder-and-ram apparatus applied to the carrier. WALTER VOGEL.

References Cited in the file of this p tent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 405,188 Sperry June 11, 1889 511,869 Warner Jan. 2, 1894 752,180 Rauscher Feb. 16, 1904 960,958 Kovatch June 7, 1910 2,420,755 Mavor May 20, 1947 2,554,005 Bodine, Jr. May 22, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,094 Great Britain Mar. 19, 1908 32,132 Austria Mar. 10, 1908 501,194 Germany June 28, 1930 

